CBM

Full Time EE - Onsite

Center for Breakthrough Medicines is on track to be the largest single-site cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization in the world. Our comprehensive service offering accelerates speed to market through supply chain disruption mitigation strategies, end-to-end program management expertise and unique platform technology with the ability to follow a molecule from idea to commercialization. CBM’s integrated approach provides high quality and consistent end-to-end manufacturing capability including: Process and Analytical Development; Plasmid DNA production; Viral Vector Production of Lentivirus; AAV and Adenovirus; Testing and Analytics; Autologous, Allogeneic and Gene-edited Cell Therapy Bioprocessing; and Cell banking. CBM’s horizontal and vertical integration provides one source throughout a product’s life cycle.

CBM’s mission is to accelerate the delivery and affordability of lifesaving and life-changing therapies from discovery to market by offering a complete solution for the development and commercialization of cell and gene therapies.

CBM is located just outside of Philadelphia in the Heart of Cellicon Valley on The Discovery Labs campus set on 300 acres with 2.4 million square feet of life sciences lab and manufacturing space, allowing clients to scale their development and manufacturing needs without ever having to change sites, while providing employees a true community campus experience focused exclusively on life sciences.

Summary

The Vector Upstream Bioprocessing Lead Associate will serve as a role model to lead a diverse team towards achieving on-time delivery of manufacturing operations by performing routine cGMP manufacture of viral vectors, non-viral vectors, and advanced therapeutics supporting the gene therapy asset at the Center for Breakthrough Medicines. The incumbent will embrace and promote right-first-time culture while operating upstream equipment for adherent and suspension systems and performing production support activities while maintaining compliance to cGMP standards. 

We are looking for individuals that have experience as a goal and solution-oriented team player, are hard-working, highly motivated, and eager to contribute to building a manufacturing operation. The individual will also have a willingness and aptitude for adoption of new technology, an ability to build relationships and work effectively in a cross-functional team and show commitment to the highest safety and quality standards. This position requires multi-tasking, interdepartmental coordination, and excellent peer-to-peer communication skills. This position has the potential to evolve into a supervisor role. 

Responsibilities

• Work in a hands-on capacity within a cleanroom environment to perform cell culture scale-up and operate single use bioreactors. 
• Lead and motivate operational staff on a daily basis by promoting a culture. of inclusiveness, safety, continuous improvement, training objectives, and compliance. 
• Assist in maintaining the cGMP status of the manufacturing facility to always ensure inspection readiness. 
• Ensures work is completed in compliance with approved SOPs, batch records, controlled documentation, and all applicable regulations, guidelines, safety policies and procedures are followed.
• Proactively assist in the resolution of manufacturing deviations/non-conformances and troubleshooting of process and equipment problems. 
• Provides timely technical input to support ongoing operations.
• Assist with on-the-floor review of batch records in real time. 
• Assist in the development of training material to support the initial and ongoing training of manufacturing personnel.
• Identify opportunities for improvements in process, safety, quality, and cost. 
• Lead training of new Bioprocessing associates. 
• Leads initiative to assist in validation activities related to the qualification of the manufacturing process, facility suites, and process equipment. 
• Acts as qualified trainer for SOPs and procedures in functional area.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma is required, but a bachelor’s degree in biological science(s) field or related engineering is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in cGMP biological manufacturing. Vector manufacturing or other gene therapy experience is highly preferred.
• A minimum of 1-3 years of leadership experience is preferred.
• Experience working with single-use bioreactors, aseptic operations, cell culture, and seed scale-up.
• Advanced knowledge of cGMP regulations.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve equipment and processing issues.
• Advanced efficiency working in a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC).
• Demonstrated ability working with incubators, pipettes, and micropipettes.
• Demonstrated ability working with sterile tube welders, sterile tube sealers, and cell counting machines.
• Experience working with of cell expansion vessels such as T-flasks or shake flasks.
• Proven ability to work well independently, as part of a team, and establish working interdepartmental relationships.
• Exhibits extreme attention to detail, accuracy in work, and integrity of character.
• Self-starter who shows eagerness to learn and problem-solve.
• Innovative and efficient when solving problems with a strong focus on continuous improvement.
• Possesses sound technical aptitude to learn and operate production equipment.
• Advanced experience working with single-use bioreactors, aseptic operations, and seed scale-up is highly preferred.
• Ability to teach, lead and mentor co-workers.
• Proven ability to work well independently, as part of a team, and establish working interdepartmental relationships.
• Able to accommodate a flexible work schedule to support business demands. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent teamwork aptitudes. 

Physical Demands

• Ability to carry up to 55 pounds.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time while wearing PPE daily.